All things Russian

Misha the penguin.
A photo my dad took in Russia.
Misha the penguin and master Omar.

I’m still in the mood for a list. This time it’s based on gifts my folks brought back in their suitcases from their recent train trip from Moscow to St Petersburg.

A hand painted bell. The best feature of which is the little chime inside that is made from a single metal screw. It’s been flattened at one end with a hole drilled into it which has then been attached to the bell. The other end has a little bolt on it and that’s the part that chimes against the interior bell. It’s a nice piece of folk art/recycling.

A most beautiful little porcelain polar bear ornament.

A little bear carved out of timber, which is only 3cm high.

A block of Russian chocolate (one of the three that they brought home). This one had rice bubbles inside the milk chocolate. The other had nutty bits and one was plain dark chocolate. I’m not sure if it’s a Russian thing but all the bars were wrapped in the heaviest tin foil I’ve even come across.

I have another list brewing in my mind. Titled… Places I have to visit one day… or Trips I wish/hope to go on, this list exists as a fantasy in my mind. It's a little list I toy with when I ought to be working on other things. Right up the top of that list is, you'll have guessed from this post, Russia, and just behind it sits something akin to this. Neither are on the horizon right now, so until they are I’ll have to make do with photos my folks took and stories told to me by my little polar companion.

I’m glad everyone enjoyed the list on my previous post. It looks like I’ll have to polish up on my cat drawing skills. Until then I've included in this post two photos of Miss Misha. So named after Misha the penguin from Andrey Kurkov’s Death and the Penguin (set in Kiev, Ukraine) and Penguin Lost.

Misha was a stray little kitten that chose our back garden as her safe refuge when her owners moved away and dumped her. She was very timid at first. It took us months of kind words and food donations to earn her trust. She still bolts at the sight of a stranger, but she now lets Gracia and I share in her affectionate and confident side. The photo above is of her on our windowsill, and in the last shot she is joined by Omar. It’s one of her favourite spots, along with her bed and the sunny spot on top of a neighbour's brick wall where a creeper has made for a rather comfortable hammock.

Oh and one more list… Gracia and I have been enjoying the snail mail from Lottie, Alyssa and Brydie.

I’m feeling two steps behind where I should be at the moment… I should be drawing some of the beautiful gifts these generous souls sent our way but as yet I haven’t. In the meantime you can check them out over here, here and here.

Medium: watercolour and pencil on Fabriano 640gsm traditional white paper

Dimensions: 18 X 26cm

Comments

[gracia]

I'm coming with you in that suitcase marked Destination Russia. One day... one day, eh?
g xo

[elaine haby]

I'm sure Misha Penguin loves her new ornate Russian ceiling.... e

[jac]

I am fascinated by the Russian ceiling. I think it's the colour I really like...

[Brydie]

Ohhh such lovely bits and bobs from afar. The polar bear ornament is absolutely gorgeous according to your lovely depiction.

[shari]

t's brother lived in st. petersburg for several years. funny. he is coming to visit us today so i have russia on the brain too. what a gorgeous ceiling. hi to misha and omar. happy weekend. xox

[amisha]

wonderful gifts from your parents! and i love that ceiling photo. russia is also on my list of places i would love to visit... that list keeps getting longer and longer.
xo

[lisa s]

exotic lands and good gifts... woo!!

i always love your polar bears!

[cruststation]

That ceiling shot is stunning, ah Russia, another wonderful place to visit. Really enjoying so many exotic photographs and places shared around blogland, brings the world closer. Lovely mail goodies, have a fabulous week.

[risa]

i can't stop staring at that green ceiling. it is amazing!

[jenny scott]

You polar bears aare always a delight to behold.

[louise]

To right you are, g. Destination Russia here we come!

Yes, she certainly does, Elaine. Mishii is fond of all things ornate and all things Russian.

Such a beautiful green, isn't it? I'm wishing I could have tagged along on this trip with my parents, Jac. I could have hidden in their suitcases easily.

He really is a sweet little ornament, Brydie. He is now quite at home on the shelf in the company of birds and a lone mouse.

So in synch, as per usual, Shari. Hope you guys all had an ace time catching up with one another. I can't wait to hop across to St. Petersburg one day.

Pretty grand, that ceiling, isn't it? I'm so keen to travel sometime soon, Amisha. That ceiling is actually the ceiling of the Peter and Paul Cathedral, St. Petersburg where the Russian Emperors and Empresses from Peter the Great to Nicholas II are buried.

Thanks, Lisa S,
Exotic lands and far away places. I'm dreaming of travel too. So thrilled you like this new polar too.

Hi Crust Station & Risa,
I know... it would be such a wonderful place to visit. You can keep gazing at the ceiling here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d5/Peter_and_Paul_Cathedral_Interior2,_St._Petersburg,_Russia.jpg/800px-Peter_and_Paul_Cathedral_Interior2,_St._Petersburg,_Russia.jpg & here: http://www.sblanchard.us/StPetersburg/images/20030707-1126_StPetersburg_PeterAndPaulCathedral.jpg

Thanks, Jenny Scott,
So good to know.

cheers, LJ
xo

[carol]

Bears in all guises will always be a favourite of mine. Second only to owls.

carol x

[maditi]

I love your beautiful russian inspired post ... the photo ... the drawings ... the chocolate ... and Andrey Kurkov :)

[Tiffany]

The Misha and Omar picture is so sweet! And that Russian ceiling? W-O-W!

[simple me]

I always feel so sorry for dumped pets. it makes me so upset that people can do that. over here it happens a lot but it seems like it is everywhere, unfortunately.
but misha is a lucky girl to have found you.
yes I also have a list of place to visit one day...at least it makes me dream.

[bugheart]

oh i love
presents
from trips
to far away
places...
how was
the russian
chocolate?

[adriana]

I like this your post on Russia! Its my third home... I just came back from Russia after two years living there! And eventhough it was a hard place to live, now i miss it. It was home. Yes, they package their chocolate soo beautifully! I got the chance to take a tour of their Red October factory in Moscow. Their style is so elegant. I am glad i found your blog, it made my day :)